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0035/ND
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GUIDELINES FOR OFFSHORE WIND FARM INFRASTRUCTURE INSTALLATION
PREFACE
This document has been drawn with care to address what are considered to be the primary issues in relation to the
contents based on the experience of the GL Noble Denton Group of Companies (the Group). This should not,
however, be taken to mean that this document deals comprehensively with all of the issues which will need to be
addressed or even, where a particular matter is addressed, that this document sets out a definitive view for all
situations. In using this document, it should be treated as giving guidelines for sound and prudent practice, but
guidelines must be reviewed in each particular case by the responsible organisation in each project to ensure that
the particular circumstances of that project are addressed in a way which is adequate and appropriate to ensure that
the overall guidance given is sound and comprehensive.
Reasonable precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document to seek to ensure that the content is
correct and error free. However, no company in the Group
shall be liable for any loss or damage incurred resulting from the use of the information contained herein or
shall voluntarily assume a responsibility in tort to any party or
shall owe a duty of care to any party other than to its contracting customer entity (subject always to the terms
of contract between such Group company and subcontracting customer entity).
This document must be read in its entirety and is subject to any assumptions and qualifications expressed therein as
well as in any other relevant communications by the Group in connection with it. Elements of this document contain
detailed technical data which is intended for analysis only by persons possessing requisite expertise in its subject
matter.
2013 Noble Denton Group Limited. The content of this document is the copyright of Noble Denton Group Limited.
All rights reserved. Any reproduction in other material must have written permission. Extracts may be reproduced
provided that their origin is clearly referenced.
CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE NO.
1 SUMMARY 5
2 INTRODUCTION 6
2.1 Scope 6
2.2 Other GL Noble Denton Guideline Documents 6
2.3 Exclusions 7
3 DEFINITIONS & ABBREVIATIONS 8
4 THE APPROVAL PROCESS 14
4.1 GL Noble Denton Approval 14
4.2 Scope of Work Leading to an Approval 14
4.3 End of MWS Scope of Work 15
4.4 Limitation of Approval 15
5 GENERAL 16
5.1 Coordination 16
5.2 Tolerances & Criteria 18
5.3 Vulnerable Items or Areas 18
5.4 Planned Moorings 19
5.5 Site & Route Survey Requirements 19
5.6 Health Safety & Environment 19
5.7 Organisation & Communication 19
5.8 Procedures and Manuals 20
5.9 Weight Control 20
5.10 Weather-Restricted Operations & Weather Forecasts 20
5.11 Scour Protection 21
6 VESSELS 22
6.1 Background 22
6.2 Moorings 22
6.3 DP Vessels 22
6.4 Jack-Ups Unrestricted Operations 22
6.5 Jack-Ups Weather-Restricted Operations 23
6.6 Crane Vessels (Seagoing) 23
6.7 Inshore Crane Vessels and Barges 23
6.8 Grounded Installation Vessels and Barges 24
6.9 Transportation Ships, Tugs & Barges 24
6.10 Cable Laying Barges 24
6.11 Cable Laying Vessels 24
6.12 Other Vessels 24
7 LOAD-OUT 25
7.1 Lifted, Skidded and Trailer Load-Outs 25
7.2 Float-Over 25
7.3 Cable Load-Out 25
8 MARINE TRANSPORTATION 28
8.1 Transportation of Components on Vessels or Barges 28
8.2 Transportation of Complete Rotor 28
8.3 Transportation of Tall Vertical Cargoes 28
8.4 Concrete Gravity Structures & Other Wet Towages 29
8.5 Cables 29
9 INSTALLATION 30
9.1 General 30
9.2 Monopiles and Transition Pieces 30
9.3 Piling Templates 30
9.4 Suction Bucket Foundations 31
TABLES
Table 4-1 Typically Required Surveys 15
Table 5-1 Relative Advantages of Different Installation Vessels & Positioning Systems 17
FIGURES
Figure 5-1 Simplified Required Early Interaction Flow-Chart 16
1 SUMMARY
1.1 These guidelines have been developed for the installation of offshore wind farms of various types.
They mainly refer to other GL Noble Denton guidelines developed for similar operations, but giving
alternatives which may apply to offshore wind farm installations.
1.2 They are intended to show clients the requirements for obtaining approval by GL Noble Denton. This
approval may be needed where an operation is the subject of an insurance warranty, or where an
independent third party review is required.
1.3 A description of the Marine Warranty approval process is given together with practical advice on
current best practice in offshore wind farm installation.
2 INTRODUCTION
2.1 SCOPE
2.1.1 This document provides guidance for installation of offshore wind farms, in particular:
Foundations including monopiles, steel jackets, gravity bases, suction bases, floating bases
including spars, TLPs and semisubmersibles.
Turbines and other equipment on pre-installed foundations.
Offshore substations, transformer, control and other platforms, including those on jack-up
platforms.
Array and Export cable laying, protection and installation onto foundations and offshore
substations.
2.1.2 In particular it identifies factors that need to be addressed as wind farm installation moves into deeper
water and more exposed locations.
2.1.3 The guidelines and calculation methods set out in this document represent the views of GL Noble
Denton and are considered to be in accordance with offshore wind farm industry good practice.
Operators should also consider national and local regulations, which may be more stringent.
2.3 EXCLUSIONS
2.3.1 Diving operations are not generally subject to a Marine Warranty and so are normally excluded,
except in so far as they may cause delays to weather-sensitive operations. In particular delays may be
caused by waiting for slack tide to allow divers to work safely. Where possible, weather sensitive
operations should be planned to be achieved without the use of divers.
2.3.2 Grouting operations are normally covered by the Certifying Authority rather than the Marine Warranty
Surveyor (MWS). Agreement will need to be made with the client at an early stage to define the
boundaries between the involvements of the Certifying Authority and the MWS. However the timing of
grouting operations that could delay a monopile or piled jacket being able to resist a 10 year seasonal
storm is of concern to the MWS. In particular any damage to grout seals before grouting will be a
concern (see Section 5.3.2 d) as it could delay grouting.
2.3.3 Structural strength and operability of completed installed structures and equipment are covered by
the Certifying Authority rather than the MWS. The MWS is only concerned with the strength during
installation, including transportation and load-out. GL Noble Denton will accept a statement from the
Certifying Authority that the structure can safely withstand the required accelerations and loads for the
load-out, transportation and installation provided that the load paths /allowable local forces for
seafastening, lifting or load-out forces are given. Alternatively the relevant calculations may be
reviewed by GL Noble Denton.
2.3.4 Un-exploded ordnance UXO disposal is not generally subject to a Marine Warranty and is normally
excluded. However it is recommended that it will be managed in accordance with the requirements of
Risk Management Framework provided in CIRIA C681, K Stone, et al. (2009), or Unexploded
Ordnance (UXO) - A Guide for the Construction Industry, or similar.
4.2.3 In order to issue Certificates of Approval, GL Noble Denton will typically require to consider, as
applicable, the following topics:
a. Operating manuals, including procedures and contingency procedures.
b. The management structure for multi-contracting projects for the operations, and Management of
Change procedures.
c. Site zone control, including Simultaneous Marine Operations (SIMOPS).
d. Design criteria and geotechnical, bathymetric and environmental /meterological data.
e. Risk assessments, HAZOP /HAZID studies involving all parties.
f. Operation-specific requirements described later in these guidelines.
g. Vessels suitability and certification.
h. Suitability of all jack-up operating locations (including soils, obstructions, survival air gap, and
suvivability of the jack-up in the design environmental conditions).
4.2.4 Surveys carried out as part of GL Noble Dentons scope of work typically include those in the following
Table.
Table 4-1 Typically Required Surveys
Survey Time Place
4.2.5 The survey frequency for repetitive operations is specified in Section 4.6 of General Guidelines
0001/ND, Ref. [1].
5 GENERAL
5.1 COORDINATION
5.1.1 The owner or operator of a wind farm has a duty to provide In-field Management to co-ordinate the
operations of vessels and helicopters in the field and communications between them. In general there
will be many more vessels working in a wind farm during construction than in an oil or gas field of
comparable value.
5.1.2 The following figure shows the main interaction between parties that is required at an early stage of the
installation project to ensure success.
Agree installation & maintenance vessels / methods Agree installation tolerances, vulnerable
- selection & availability (see Section 5.1.4) items & criteria (see Sections 5.2 and 5.3)
Figure 5-1 Simplified Required Early Interaction Flow-Chart
DP vessels with the potential to lose position after a DP failure and hit the structure.
Vessels bringing repair and maintenance personnel, often with sophisticated transfer systems.
The main advantages and disadvantages of these different types are given in the following Table 5-1.
Table 5-1 Relative Advantages of Different Installation Vessels & Positioning Systems
Vessel /system Advantages Disadvantages
Jack-up Provides a relatively stable 1. Needs good weather (typically <1 to 2 m sig wave height) to
(of adequate operating platform above jack-up or down to move to a new location.
design) the waves (reducing crane 2. Normally needs moorings or DP to move onto location (tugs
see Note 1 hook movements).
may sometimes be used alone if locational accuracy is not
Can stay on location during required and there are no collision risks or strong currents)
storms. 3. Footprints from previous jack-ups may cause severe
(For some short operations structural problems due to legs sliding into them (especially if
in good weather, the jack- of different leg geometry.
up may not jack-up out of 4. Jack-ups may not be suitable with some seabeds (e.g. very
the water to save time but soft or rocky). Legs may be vulnerable to scour & punch-
use its legs to stay on
through. Adequate leg length required to maintain safe air
location).
gap in storms.
5. Limited number of jack-ups presently available with adequate
design especially for deeper exposed locations.
6. Cables on seabed (especially if not located accurately) may
restrict operating positions
Floating vessel Generally cheaper to 1. Vessel motions limit crane and other operations.
(not DP) operate than jack-ups or 2. Need moorings to stay on location (see below).
Mooring system DP vessels 1. Anchors may drag causing loss of position leading to collision,
Do not leave footprints or or cable /subsea structure damage.
tread on /damage cables 2. In some locations some anchor cables will require be
(apart from with anchors) slackened to avoid damage to structures between vessel and
anchor. Care needed when re-tensioned.
3. Mooring systems need redundancy.
4. Moorings must be laid to avoid damaging cables.
5. Generally moorings will not be designed to survive a storm so
the vessel needs to initially move away from a structure when
weather deteriorates and then out of the field if it gets worse.
DP (for vessel or Faster to mobilise or 1. Risk of run-off or drift-off after DP failure or if environmental
jack-up) demobilise and more conditions occur beyond the DP System capacity. (For jack-
flexible than if moored. ups this is for the approach only, reducing the time at risk).
DP vessels can operate in
deeper water than jack-ups
Sheerlegs Often have high lifting 1. As for floating vessels (moored or DP)
capacities 2. Less adaptable as cannot slew lifted objects
3. Usually designed for inshore or coastal use (small waves)
4. Class limitations may prevent use offshore.
Grounded (May be required in 1. Must avoid any prelaid cables unless well protected.
vessels /barges shallow water for cable 2. Generally requires a good weather window or sheltered water.
landfall) 3. Cohesive soils may hold the hull down when trying to refloat.
Note 1: Jack-ups that are not designed for ongoing seasonal operations for that location may need to cut and
run for a safe location before the weather exceeds that required for safely jacking down into the water.
5.2.4 GL Noble Denton will also have an input to such selection in so far as the tolerances and criteria must
not be so severe that there is a possibility that the equipment may never be able to be installed without
taking unacceptable risks. If installation environmental criteria are set too high then there is also a
higher probability of damage.
5.10.3 When high currents are combined with shallow water then additional current forces will be caused by
blockage effects. These shallower conditions also lead to increased seabed turbulence due to wave
action, and additional contingency measures may be necessary to make allowances for accelerated
scouring around jack-legs and spud-cans.
5.10.4 However suitable moorings, stabbing guides and other aids may help to reduce the sensitivity to
currents and decrease downtime waiting for slack tide.
5.10.5 A weather forecast of at least 48 hours duration, from an approved source, predicting that conditions
will be within the prescribed limits, shall be received prior to the start of any weather-sensitive
operation, and at not more than 12 hourly intervals (but preferably 6 hourly and on issuance of a bad
weather warning) thereafter, until the operation is deemed complete, i.e. with all equipment and
vessels in a safe condition even if the weather deteriorates.
5.10.6 Weather forecasts for wind speed should specify the height (to be agreed in advance) and wind
speeds measured on site should be corrected to that height for direct comparison. The swell height,
direction, and period should also be included, as well as the probability of precipitation, fog and
lightning within the next 24 hours. The time of sunrise and sunset, and the phase of the moon may be
advantageous though these will normally be found in nautical almanacs.
5.10.7 In field monitoring of waves (height, direction and period) should be considered to enhance the
forecast for each specific lift operation.
5.10.8 For subsea lifts in areas where it is known that high currents exist in the water column, in-field
monitoring of currents (speed and direction) should be considered to enhance the regular forecasts.
The monitoring of sub-sea currents with acoustic Doppler or similar systems should be considered
when the operational limits of ROVs, and drag on piles during stabbing can lead to operational delays.
5.10.9 Current and wave monitoring may also be used to reduce contractual disputes when operating in a
specific current speed or wave height is a contractual requirement. However contractual requirements
must not be allowed to over-ride safety or to increase risk.
6 VESSELS
6.1 BACKGROUND
6.1.1 Many existing wind farms are in shallow sheltered waters. This has allowed use of coastal and inshore
vessels that are not designed or classed for operating in exposed waters. In turn, this has often
required vessels to remain within a limited distance from a port of shelter and for jack-ups to jack down
and seek shelter on a bad weather forecast. This approach exposes the operations to a high risk of
accidents from unforecast bad weather and being caught on a lee shore.
6.1.2 The risk is further increased if the national administration and/or class restrictions require the unit to
remain within a certain distance from land (which may be a lee shore) but where there is no safe port
or sheltered jacking location. However some national administrations and classification societies may
be prepared to agree specific direct routes in advance which are shorter and entail less risk but exceed
the normally required distance from shore.
6.1.3 Installation in deeper and more exposed locations requires a different approach, such as is used in the
oil and gas industries, in which vessels typically have to be designed to survive in 50 to 100 year
design storms without seeking shelter. Although the initial costs are higher, the greatly increased
productivity and decreased risk make this approach much more attractive financially.
6.2 MOORINGS
6.2.1 Almost all installation vessels, unless operating on DP, will require suitable moorings to keep them on
station when working alongside a structure, or when preparing to jack-up or jack-down.
6.2.2 These moorings should be designed to the requirements of 0032/ND, Ref. [11], using the agreed
design criteria corresponding to the proposed operating criteria modified by the relevant Metocean
Reduction Factors described in Section 7.3 of 0001/ND, Ref. [1].
6.3 DP VESSELS
6.3.1 A vessel with a minimum DP Class 2 will generally be required though a few operations, e.g. rock-
dumping and cable-laying when not close to high value structures, may use DP Class 1 if the
consequences of any DP failure are low. Further requirements are in Section 13 of 0001/ND, Ref. [1].
6.3.2 Jack-ups with DP shall have procedures to determine at what stages during installation or departure
from a location they will operate in DP mode. As a general rule (subject to the risk assessment for the
specific operation) jack-ups need to be on manual control once the seabed develops a certain level of
lateral resistance during installation, and at all stages during departure. See also Section 13.7 of
0001/ND, Ref. [1].
6.5.2 The procedures and criteria described in Section 6.5.1 above shall be the subject of a risk assessment
in which GL Noble Denton participates and agrees that the risks are acceptable.
6.5.3 Jack-ups may also operate when moored afloat, or partly elevated, to save time jacking up and down
and preloading. These operations will require good weather and need to follow the Weather-Restricted
Operations requirements of Section 7.3 of 0001/ND, Ref. [1].
7 LOAD-OUT
7.1 LIFTED, SKIDDED AND TRAILER LOAD-OUTS
7.1.1 Lifted, skidded and trailer load-outs are covered in 0013/ND, Ref. [3]. However the following special
cases may apply.
a. Special consideration will be given to purpose-built lifting appliances for blades. The lifting tool
Certificate should specify the maximum load and any limits regarding the overall dimensions of
the lifted item and any environmental limitations (e.g. maximum wind speed).
b. In the event of structural modifications to an item of lifting equipment it shall be re-approved by
an IACS member before further use.
c. Bolts used for removable lifting lugs shall generally be used one time only. In special cases
re-use may be accepted as described in Section B5 in Appendix B of 0001/ND, Ref. [1], but
only if initial pretensioning does not exceed 60% of the bolt yield strength and the loads during
lifting have not exceeded the maximum design values. For re-use of bolts, a detailed inspection
plan with regular NDT including rejection criteria and exchange intervals should be submitted
for review by GL Noble Denton. As a minimum, bolts should be visually inspected after each lift
and with MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspection) after every 3 lifts unless fatigue calculations
accepted by GL Noble Denton show that less frequent inspections are acceptable.
d. Re-useable lifting lugs shall be tested in accordance with Section 8.6 of 0027/ND, Ref. [7].
7.2 FLOAT-OVER
7.2.1 Float-over load-outs are covered in 0031/ND, Ref. [10]. However pre-ballasting floating structures
must be avoided unless adequate local structural checks show that loads produced by the ballast do
not exceed the capacity of the structure.
7.3.11 Pull-in heads or cable grips must be of adequate strength (i.e. stronger than the cables) for the transfer
operation.
7.3.12 Typically pull-in head designs will be type-tested, removing the need to load test and certify every pull-
in head.
7.3.13 Loaded drums should be inspected for signs of physical damage on arrival at the delivery location. If a
drum is damaged then the cable in the damaged area should be inspected and, if deemed necessary,
the cable should be tested.
7.3.14 Cable types. Submarine power cables can be torsion balanced or non-torsion balanced. Torsion
balanced cables can only be stored in carousels or on drums. Non-torsion balanced cable can be
stored in cable tanks.
7.3.15 Submarine power cable armour layup can be S lay, Z lay or SZ lay which is a combination of the
two. Cables might need to be coiled in a specific direction depending on the type and direction of
armour layup. Loading procedures shall specify the coiling direction.
7.3.16 Submarine power cables can be constructed as wet, dry or semi-dry cables. Wet cables allow water to
enter the body of the cable as far as the conductor outer sheath which is sealed against water ingress.
Dry cables have a water-blocking sheath normally under the armour wire bedding layer. The water-
blocking sheath prevents water from entering the body of the cable. Each conductor in a dry cable will
have a swellable tape sheath encasing the conductor which swells in contact with water and keeps the
conductor XLPE (Cross Linked Polyethylene) insulation dry. Some dry cables have a lead water-
blocking sheath under the armour bedding. Typically HVAC cables are constructed as dry cables.
Some manufactureres build semi-dry HVAC cables.
7.3.17 The cable pathway from the cable factory storage location to the quayside cable loading tower must
be inspected for non-conforming bends (less than the cable MBR), loose /stiff rollers, sections where
the cable can jump off the cable pathway and sections that are out of sight. Preferably the complete
cable pathway will be monitored by CCTV during cable loading.
7.3.18 Non-conforming bends, excessive side wall pressure and shear forces are a cause for concern and
can damage the cable metallic laminate and metallic sheaths and allow moisture ingress which can
reduce cable insulation life.
7.3.19 Loading procedures must define a clear and concise chain of command and communications protocol
and must include a command and communication interface between the onshore load-out team and
CLV / CLB team.
7.3.20 Load-out must be preceded by a pre-load meeting at which the task, chain of command, control station
command priorities, radio and communication protocols, emergency procedures and source of back up
communications faciities must be communicated to all personnel involved in supervising the load and
personel operating loading machinery and winches.
7.3.21 Responsibility for managing the load-out catenary between onshore and the CLV or transport vessel
must be clearly defined.
7.3.22 If necessary a watch shall be maintained to ensure that the wash from passing vessels cannot
endanger the cable loading operation.
7.3.23 All loading equipment controls, sensors and monitoring devices shall have in date calibration
certificates.
7.3.24 Swivels must be used at the cable ends and between segments to enable residual torsion to leave the
cable.
7.3.25 Cable loaded into a cable tank or a carousel must be tightly packed together to minimise gaps.
Wooden paddles should be used to lever the incoming cable into place. Gaps should be packed out
with wood or plastic to prevent movement at sea and to prevent overlying cable being forced into gaps
between cables in underlying layers.
7.3.26 Vertical carousels. Submarine power cables loaded onto vertical carousels must be wound onto the
carousel under tension to prevent the cable falling down the carousel. The calculations to justify the
back tension required to prevent the cable falling down the already loaded cable should be submitted
for GL Noble Denton review.
7.3.27 Damage. All parts of the load-out operation must be observed. Any damage to the cable outer
serving must be made good. Any signs of bird-caging armour wires, kinks and buckling in the cable
and a tendency for the cable to try to form loops in the catenary between the load-out gantry and the
CLV load-out chute are causes for concern and should be investigated.
8 MARINE TRANSPORTATION
8.1 TRANSPORTATION OF COMPONENTS ON VESSELS OR BARGES
8.1.1 The requirements of 0030/ND Guidelines for Marine Transportations, Ref. [9], apply for all tows and
transportations. For short voyages the relaxations in Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of 0030/ND may apply.
8.1.2 Seafastening of blades and other fragile components will normally need special care to avoid damage
from welding or locating guides. Where friction is required to resist some or all of the seafastening
forces then the coefficients of friction shall be shown to be adequate in both the wet and dry states.
8.1.3 If towing vessels are currently registered in the GL Noble Denton Towing Vessel Approval Scheme
(TVAS) see 0021/ND, Ref. [6], then suitability surveys will not be required, though a check will be
required before a Certificate of Approval is issued.
8.1.4 The requirements of Appendix B of 0001/ND, Ref. [1], will apply for bolted connections used for
seafastening.
8.1.5 Minimum clearance between cargo items to be lifted is given in Section 9.2 and 9.3 of 0027/ND,
Ref. [7].
8.2.3 In some respects a transportation with the rotor in a vertical plane (as installed) may be easier,
especially if fully assembled on a tower. However the required accelerations may be higher though
wave slam and collision problems should be reduced
8.3.2 Seafastenings must be designed to allow safe removal offshore without endangering the cargo or
personnel. See also Section 9.2.1 b.
8.3.3 Clearance (air draught) under any bridges or power cables must be considered. The safe distance
from live power lines shall be allowed for. The power line catenary will change if power is shut off.
8.5 CABLES
8.5.1 A fundamental requirement during transport of submarine power cables is protection of the
mechanical, electrical and optical properties of the cable achieved by careful and proper loading into
cable tanks or rotating carousels.
8.5.2 Crush loads imparted by overlying cable must within limits set by the cable manufacturer.
8.5.3 Calculations confirming crush loads are within set limits shall be developed and shall include the
effects of vessel motions which should not be less than the design storm conditions in Section 6 of
0030/ND, Ref. [9].
8.5.4 Cable tank design calculations shall be checked to ensure the cable tank structure can withstand
racking loads imparted by the cable stack into the cable tank structure. The conditions used for the
calculations should not be less than the design storm conditions in Section 6 of 0030/ND, Ref. [9].
8.5.5 Carousel and cable tank seafastening and grillage calculations shall be checked for approval by
GL Noble Denton. The conditions used for the calculations should not be less than the design storm
conditions in Section 6 of 0030/ND, Ref [9].
8.5.6 The requirements for loading and stowing cable on transport vessels are the same as for a CLV /CLB
as described in Section 7.3.
8.5.7 Trans-spooling operations between the transport vessel, CLVs or CLBs shall always be carried out in
sheltered waters where both vessels can be safely moored with the minimum relative movement
between the vessels.
8.5.8 The requirements for trans-spooling cables between transport vessels and CLVs are the same as for
loading cables onto a CLV at the cable manufacturers facility. Special care and attention should be
given to managing the cable catenary between the two vessels especially if there is relative movement
between the two vessels. Mooring lines should be checked on a regular basis and the checking period
should be in accordance with the prevailing environmental conditions and passing marine traffic.
Mooring line checks and adjustment shall be recorded in the cable loading log (in addition to the vessel
bridge log).
9 INSTALLATION
9.1 GENERAL
9.1.1 Installation of components on wind farms are generally covered as follows:
a. Concrete or steel gravity platforms, foundations or complete integrated platforms by 0015/ND,
Ref. [4], and 0028/ND, Ref. [8].
b. Monopiles and jackets by 0028/ND, Ref. [8], including piling and un-piled (storm safe) stability.
c. Lifted turbines, transition pieces, decks and modules (including substations, control stations,
transformers, HVDC converter platforms, etc) by 0027/ND, Ref. [7]
d. Decks floated over jackets or gravity bases by 0031/ND, Ref. [10]
e. Jack-up platforms (construction and containing Wind Farm permanent equipment) by 0009/ND,
Ref. [2], 016/ND, Ref. [4] and BWEA Guidelines for Jack-Ups, Ref.[12].
f. Cables in Section 10 of this document.
However special cases for offshore wind farms are covered in the following sections. Where special
considerations apply, the requirements need to be agreed In advance with GL Noble Denton.
9.7 TOWERS
9.7.1 Installation of towers is generally carried out by a crane vessel using conventional lifting methods,
often with a custom-designed lift-beam arrangement.
9.7.2 Towers can be installed in sections. If installation of the tower is planned in sections then these
sections are connected together, often using bolts, before de-rigging the upper tower section.
9.7.3 Installation requirements for towers are covered in 0027/ND, Ref. [7]. However the following special
cases may apply:
Access for de-rigging
Partial bolting
Lifting points certification for multiple use (loadout, installation, maintenance, decommissioning)
Verification that there will be no ovalisation due to local seafastening forces in higher seastates
Transport frames
Requirements and criteria for upending from the horizontal to vertical mode.
9.8 NACELLES
9.8.1 Installation of nacelles is carried by conventional lifting techniques often with spreader beams
connected to grommets and trunnions. Installation requirements is covered in 0027/ND, Ref. [7].
However the following special considerations may apply:
Lift points
Access for de-rigging
Partial bolting
9.9 BLADES
9.9.1 Installations of blades have generally been carried out with the hub in the horizontal position.
Historically, the bunny-ears method has been commonplace, in which there is a single blade installed
offshore with the blade inserted into the hub in the vertical direction
9.9.2 Blade handling tools are used in order to ensure a correct orientation for the integration of the blade to
the hub and to permit safe rigging up and de-rigging. Blades are then bolted to the hub.
9.9.3 Installation requirements for blades is covered in 0027/ND, Ref. [7]. However the following special
considerations may apply:
Infra-red release systems which must be shown to be reliable in releasing and, more
importantly, not liable to early release from any cause.
Limiting criteria. See Section 5.2
Boom tip motions, See Section 11.4.2 of 0028/ND, Ref. [8]
Partial bolting
9.9.4 If the design of the blades is so confidential that the client, manufacturer or designer is unwilling to
submit transport or handling calculations to GL Noble Denton then the approach in Section 9.6.3 of
0001/ND, Ref. [1], may be taken.
10 CABLE INSTALLATION
10.1 BACKGROUND
10.1.1 A successful offshore wind farm cable laying operation will normally be preceded by:
a. Desk Top Study
b. Environmental Impact Assessment
c. Liaison with third party stakeholders such as fishing industry representatives and other marine
users
d. Seabed route surveys
e. Burial Protection Index study
f. Route development and cable engineering
g. Cable protection selection
h. Out of service cables identified
i. In service cables identified and cable crossing agreements established with cable owners in
which the crossing construction method is agreed
j. Assessment of the physical risks to the cable
k. Selection of suitable installation resources
l. Installation Analysis including J-tube /I-tube pull-in, laying around curves and when cable will
be surfaced laid but not immediately buried
m. Interface management plan
n. Other items covered in Section 10.6.1, as applicable.
bigger problem for export cable routes due to their longer length resulting in a greater variation of
ground conditions along their routes.
10.2.8 Jack up vessel operations. Jack up legs can be a major threat to cables if they are placed on or
near a cable. Jack up legs placed on a cable will damage the cable as will ground-heave from a jack
up leg placed too close to a cable (cable protection should not be relied on as protection from jack up
legs). Leg penetration and ground-heave studies should be done to ensure there is sufficient space
between jack up legs and cable positions.
10.2.9 External aggression leading to higher risk of damage. The increased risk of damage by anchors and
fishing gear will influence the BPI and subsequent installation costs. In particular export cable routes
will increasingly cross shipping lanes, anchorages and areas where bottom trawling is done,
presenting increased challenges when designing export cable routes and installing cables.
10.2.10 Burial. Achieving required burial in difficult ground conditions.
10.2.11 Lay barge mooring capability in marginal laying conditions, cross currents, variable anchor holding
ground conditions and shallow water.
10.2.12 Laying around curves. Cables must be laid around obstacles and approaches to offshore structures
require laying around curves to line up with J-tube orientations. This may be a bigger problem for
export cable routes due to major seabed obstacles at landfall areas.
10.2.13 Bend restrictor and protection at J-tube approaches. J-tube bell mouths can be raised above the
seabed. The cable MBR must be protected in the free span between the J-tube bell mouth and the
cable touch down point. The free span must be protected from ocean current induced vibration which,
over time, can damage cable armour wires and can also reduce the electrical life of a cable. Cables
must be protected against dropped objects at the approach to offshore structures. Scour pits might
need to be crossed. All of these require bend restrictors and cable protection to be attached to the
cable, usually on board the installation vessel before the cable is installed into the J-tube.
10.2.14 J-tube /I-tube pull-in. Protection of cable MBR; potentially high tension due to friction of pulling cable
across the seabed into a J-tube; subsea handling and timely release of pull-in quadrant; cable
protection /bell-mouth interface; scour pits; control of pull-in tension and MBR monitoring, observation
and surveying of pull-in (visibility & tides) and correct engagement into the J-tube /I-tube of cable
protection systems.
10.2.15 J-tube pull-in limiting sea state. A number of factors need to be considered to establish Array and
Export Cable pull-in operational limiting sea states and other limiting conditions. These include:
a. offshore structure access /egress for cable pull-in personnel
b. vessel motions and impact on crane operations for transferring pull-in aids and other equipment
to offshore structures
c. Cable tension caused by CLV / CLB accelerations.
10.2.16 Laying away from the J-tube / I-tube. Tension due to ploughing/trenching pull-off forces; cable
protection/bell-mouth interface; scour pits. Control and observation of pull-in tension and MBR
monitoring, observation and surveying of pull-in.
10.2.17 Installation of cable protection. Selection, installation monitoring and correct engagement into the J-
tube/I-tube of suitable cable protection systems at the J-tube /I-tube seabed interface.
10.2.18 Congested cable routes. Wherever possible submarine power cables should be installed with
sufficient space between cables to allow future repair operations to be carried out.
10.2.19 Crossings. Cable or pipeline crossings normally require a constructed crossing (mattresses, rock
dumping, polyurethane products or small concrete bridges). The design and installation must be
approved by the owners of the product being crossed. Wherever possible crossing points should keep
the heading of the two products as close to 90 degrees as possible. Typically plough burial will not be
allowed within 500m of the crossed product; therefore other means of protecting cables in this
no-plough zone must be provided.
10.2.20 Installing cables in bundles. Cables are sometimes installed in bundles (HVDC circuits for
example). Bundled cables are more difficult to handle than single cables and careful consideration
must be given to the burial technology to ensure the cables are not damage by the burial /trenching
tool.
10.2.21 DP or mooring system failures may lead to excessive tension or slack in the cable during cable
laying operations. For moored barges the Mooring Analysis shall include line failure modes and an
excursion analysis considering failure of each mooring line. The outcome of the Mooring Analysis will
contribute to setting the limiting sea states and/or the number of attending tugs required.
performed to the same geographical datum and should be tied into existing known points and levels. A
BAS (Burial Assessment Survey) is recommended for export cable routes where the ground conditions
will typically vary along the export cable route.
10.5.2 Jack-up footprints Areas with existing jack-up footprints should be identified and new footprints
should be accurately plotted when jack-ups are deployed.
10.5.3 Plough routes should be based on surveys and should avoid wrecks, substantial obstacles, UXO
(with a defined exclusion zone), environmental sensitive areas (e.g. Sabellaria worm habitats), and
difficult soil conditions. Small objects may be removed, but should be avoided if practicable.
10.5.4 Route clearance & UXO. Cable routes should be surveyed for potential UXO prior to choosing cable
routes. Suspected UXO should be investigated or avoided. A grapnel run should be performed prior
to cable laying, to ensure a clear cable route.
10.5.5 Exclusion zones should be adhered to when laying cable to consider future repair operations, and the
possibility of using anchored vessels or grapnel assisted cable recovery. Current guidance suggests
250m exclusion from other cables, UXO, wrecks etc. Site specific assessments should be made to
determine exclusion distances.
10.5.6 Wherever cables are to be installed close to an existing telecom cable consideration should be given to
the additional required clearances for the telecom cable. Telecom cable repair procedures often
require more space around the telecom cable in order that the repair vessel can deploy grapnels to
locate, snag and recover the telecom cable. ICPC Guidelines, Refs. [14] to [16] should be referred to.
10.5.7 Cable route selection should also take account of the telecom cable owners right to repair and
maintain their cables as granted by UNCLOS (United Nations Law of the Sea).
10.5.8 A detailed bathymetry of the site resulting from a recent underwater survey should be available when
assessing minimum clearances within the seabed contour, and survey inaccuracies should be
accounted for.
10.5.9 Normally, two independent on-board positioning monitoring systems (PMSs) shall be utilized for
operational monitoring and control purposes. Both systems shall be in operation at any time, each
serving as the back-up for the other. Each should be fed by an independent power source.
10.5.10 Where underwater accuracy is important, at least one PMS shall be an underwater, hydro-acoustic
reference system.
10.5.11 As-laid surveys. As-laid information must be compiled to enter the as-built documentation. Post-lay
surveys may be required to determine burial levels and accurate locations for post-lay burial measures.
If this is not required, due to recorded successful burial levels, monitoring of vessel location may be
sufficiently accurate for as-built records. Required accuracy of location will be project specific.
10.6 PROCEDURES
10.6.1 An Installation Manual with Procedures, Story Boards, Task Plans and other supporting documents
should be produced to cover the following as appropriate to the specific cable installation operations,
incorporating solutions to the various problems identified in Sections 10.2 to 10.4:
a. General
1. Measures taken to ensure the protection of cables MBR. See Section 10.17
2. UXO Survey. See Section 10.5.4
3. ITP (Inspection Test Plan)
c. Route Clearance to remove old cables and large debris from the cable routes
d. Pre Lay Grapnel Run (PLGR) to remove linear debris immediately before the cable installation
operation from the cable routes
e. Cable Transport
1. Cable Loading. See Section 7.3
2. Cable Transport. See Section 8.5
3. Cable Trans-spooling. See Section 8.5.7 onwards
f. Cable Laying
1. Cable End Sealing. See Section 7.3.1 onwards
2. Offshore Structure Topside Pull-in Preparation
3. CLV and/or CLB Suitability Analysis
4. CLV and/or CLB Vessel Motions Analysis
5. Cable Installation Analysis
6. Slack and Catenary Management. See Section 10.16
7. J / I-Tube Pull-in. See Section 10.11.
8. Cable Protection at J / I-TubeCable trenching and/or burial. See Section 10.8.
9. Cable and/or Pipeline Crossing Protection. See Section 10.23
10. Cable Emergency Abandonment and Recovery. See Section 10.19.
11. Cable Jointing or Repair. See Section 10.24.
12. PLIB (Post Lay Inspection Burial), often with a WROV to rectify any areas with
inadequate burial.
g. Landfall Preparation and Shore End Cable Installation (see Section 10.22)
1. HDD and Duct Installation
2. Landfall Site Preparation
3. Open Cut Trenching
4. Direct Shore End Installation
5. Pre-installed Shore End Installation
6. Cable Protection Landfall to Main CLV
h. Marine Logistics
1. Anchor Handling
2. DP Trials. See Section 13.5 of 0001/ND, Ref. [1].
3. DP Manoeuvring and Close Proximity work
4. Crew Transfer and Access / Egress
5. Pull-in Aids Transfer
i. Risk & Continency Planning. See Section 5.4 of 0001/ND, Ref. [1].
1. HIRA, HAZID and HAZOPS
2. Operational Activity and Contingency Planning
3. SIMOPS
4. Risk Management Plan
include story boards showing each step required by the installation vessel to complete all cable
installations including:
a. Vessel position for each operation, mooring, anchor handling, stability, WTG /Substation setup,
lay-away, laying, overboarding, burial, deburial, pull-in, cable protection systems).
b. Step-by-step written instructions for the more complex processes during cable installation (i.e.
pull-in /lay away /laydown /recovery /overboarding). These shall be used to explain the
methodology engineered for the operation and for the site teams to follow.
c. Limiting weather criteria, control and monitoring measures used to ensure cable integrity,
surveys,
d. Calculations, contingency plans, hold/stop points, equipment descriptions and electrical testing
programmes as appropriate.
e. Use of divers and ROVs
10.7.2 Live anchors may be used to manoeuvre a CLB in close proximity to offshore structures and to
maintain the CLB position along the planned cable route. Live anchor operations shall be carefully
planned and a Live Anchor Handling Procedure shall be written by the installation contractor and
approved by GL Noble Denton. The Anchor Handling Procedure must include Anchor Position
Drawings showing the planned positions of anchors for all phases of live anchor operations.
10.7.3 TD position when laying in curves must take account of the tendency for tension in cables during lay
operations to pull the TD point closer to the installation vessel track line. Curves laid in surface-laid
submarine power cables must be planned carefully and must be supported by Installation Analysis and
Seabed Stability Analysis.
10.7.4 Operating weather. Computational analysis and modelling can be undertaken to assess the ability of
a vessel to maintain position and heading during high risk cable handling operation and to evaluate the
weather criteria for operability of the moored vessel and suitability of its moorings in a site.
10.7.5 Risk Assessments including HAZOPs etc. These should be attended by all appropriate project staff
including the Contractor, GL Noble Denton, project H&S staff, and others as required to cover all
project interfaces
10.7.6 ROV operations. ROVs are often used to monitor subsea activities, perform subsea work (such as
attaching/detaching wires, lifting anchors etc.). Such work is often limited by visibility and currents.
ROV dependant activities should therefore consider recent weather (rough weather reduces visibility),
tidal schedules and predicted tidal current speeds. If visibility is an issue for ROVs, it is recommended
to also use sonar surveying instruments to identify objects and cables during operations. ROV test
dives should be performed to test conditions prior to activities involving cable handling. A clear and
descriptive commentary/narrative should be submitted alongside any surveying video /screenshots to
ensure the viewer understands and can interpret what is being presented.
10.7.7 Messenger lines. Messenger lines, shackles and other rigging should be fully certified and graded for
predicted loads. The site specific tidal and weather conditions should also be considered when
specifying such rigging. Pre-installation of messenger wires prior to pull-in should consider as-left
conditions and the risk of entanglement /damage.
the interface with the bell-mouth, and protection of the cable during pull-in /lay-away as well as over
the course of the cable life-time.
10.8.3 Cable Burial. Cable burial targets are informed by site specific risk assessments of potential damage
to the cable (inputs such as types of fishing activity). Achieved burial levels should be recorded for as-
built documentation and assessment of conformity. Post-lay measures may be required to achieve
target burial depth (such as rock-dumping, mattress laying or jetting). Proof of achieved depth of burial
can be important to any project for presentation to the necessary stakeholders. This can be provided
by video and sonar surveying equipment attached to the devices carrying out the work or immediately
after burial to identify the depth of burial prior to backfill.
10.8.4 Burial depth The intended depth of burial will be specified for the site and based on a number of site
specific parameters such as regulatory requirements, other marine users & their activities,
geotechnical & seabed conditions onsite and tidal conditions of the site. It is most likely that the
seabed and geotechnical conditions for the site will determine which burial methods are most suitable
and feasible. The correct burial depth will ensure cables are protected from other marine users and
also are not exposed by mobile seabed features such as sand waves.
10.8.5 Burial Typically jetting tools do not bury cables, most jetting tools do not reinstate the seabed over
the cable so that the cable is not buried. Jetting tools fluidise the seabed leaving an open trench into
which the cable will fall. The cable is subsequently buried by natural re-instatement of the seabed.
10.8.6 Ploughing ploughs are towed or self-powered devices that cut a slot into the seabed. The cable
passes through the plough body and exits at the bottom of the slot. The soil is then placed over the
cable to provide immediate full depth burial. Towed ploughs require high bollard pull vessels to
overcome the seabed cutting forces while self-powered ones will normally require power from the
surface via an umbilical.
10.8.7 Trenching is the process whereby a trench is opened and a cable is placed in the trench, back fill is
by natural processes over time.
10.8.8 Post Lay Jetting Protection can be provided by lowering cables below the mean seabed level using
high pressure jetting tools operated by ROVs or divers. It is important the pressures and forces being
applied to any cable are acceptable or within the allowable limits for the cable to withstand. As
previously mentioned, cables may be partially buried and to find and track a cable a tone may need to
be applied.
10.8.9 As-laid Jetting It is becoming increasingly common to lower cables into the seabed using tracked
jetting vehicles operating a few meters behind the cable TD point.
10.8.10 Mechanical Trenching equipment, using rock wheels or chain cutters, can be used to open trenches
in hard ground conditions. Mechanical trenching tools normally open cut a trench and the cable is post
trench laid into the trench when the trenching machine has completed its work. Post lay mechanical
trenching machines provide protection to the cable from the mechanical cutting device.
10.8.11 Rock Dumping If the required burial depth is not achieved during installation, subsequent rock
dumping can provide the necessary protection he characteristics of the material being placed and the
design of the rock berm will be specific to the site and the protection required. Rock is placed by rock
dumping specific vessels which have sophisticated survey equipment to ensure rock is placed directly
on the intended area.
10.8.12 Mattresses and/or rock dumping can be used to provide protection to cables especially in areas
where cables are most exposed, i.e. close to bell-mouth and WTG/substation foundations. Mattresses
are placed by cranes using necessary lift beams to ensure placement directly over the intended area.
10.8.13 Articulated Pipe (also known as split pipe) is a type of cable protection that protects against high
impact forces and chafing where cables pass over exposed bedrock. The pipe is fitting around a cable
in two halves and clamped together with two bolts at each end. The pipe ends form a ball and socket
joint between pipe sections allowing the pipes to form a bend wherever required. Due to the weight of
the pipe sections (spheroidal cast iron) and the necessity to use divers to fit to cables, articulated pipes
are normally only used over rocks or in high currents at shore ends and over shallower water rocks.
10.8.14 Survey Following cable protection operations, confirmation of the operations success is required.
Survey of cable route, burial depth, depth below seabed, sonar images of protection can all provide the
necessary confirmation of what is achieved.
10.10.4 CLV /CLB movements when laying cable must comply with pre-defined plans recorded in the
Installation Manual and the Installation Procedures.
10.10.5 When planning cable-lay operations for curves and alter courses, consideration must be given to the
vessel track required to lay the required curve and/or alter course.
10.10.6 TD position by WROV monitoring is recommended when surface-laying submarine power cables
around curves and/or altering course.
10.10.7 TD monitoring is also recommended in locations where a cable must be laid within a defined corridor
or when cable length tolerances are tight.
10.10.8 A Route Planning List (RPL) shall be provided. The RPL shall include the cable route co-ordinates,
planned burial or trenching depths and slack cable required along the cable route.
10.10.9 Well planned and managed cable installation operations deploy continuous Slack Management and
Catenary Management techniques to provide real time monitoring and input to vessel position and
speed decisions and to maintain the correct cable pay out speed and tension. These topics are
addressed in greater detail in Section 10.16 (Catenary Management).
10.10.10 A CLV / CLB should never be allowed to drop back onto the cable catenary unless the operation is
planned and the LCE can recover cable from the seabed at least at the same speed as the CLV / CLB
drops back onto the cable. This type of movement, when unplanned and therefore uncontrolled, will
reduce TD tension and will increase the risk of loops being thrown in the cable.
10.10.11 If the CLV / CLB does drop back over the cable and the movement is unplanned then the cable must
be inspected at the seabed to ensure no loops have been thrown before the CLV / CLB moves off to
re-establish the catenary and commence laying cable. If there is doubt over the condition of the cable
then the cable should be tested before laying operations are re-commenced.
10.10.12 If an uncontrolled drop back occurs when plough burying cable the cable must be inspected for loops
before re-commencing plough operations. If a loop enters a plough the loop will be closed by the
plough body to such an extent that the conductors, sheaving and fibre optics will fail and the plough
might be damaged.
10.10.13 Contingency plans must address action required in event of a DP malfunction and must include the
actions required by the cable installation equipment operators.
10.11.3 Second end pull-in operations. There are two methods commonly adopted to implement second
end J-tube /I-tube pull-in operations:
1. A bight of cable is lowered toward the seabed using a quadrant. When the quadrant is close to
the seabed as defined in the Installation Procedures, the quadrant is tipped and the bight of
cable placed on the seabed. This method requires careful co-ordination between control
stations to prevent a loop being thrown in the cable. The J-tube bell mouth lead angles must be
capable of accepting the vertical off-lead angle required without jeopardising the cable MBR.
2. The cable end is laid on the seabed in an omega loop in close proximity to the J-tube and
pulled into the J-tube. This requires a seabed survey covering the whole of the lay down area
to ensure there are no snagging points against which the cable could snag. The pull-in tensions
using this method are influenced by seabed friction and soil build up where the omega loop is
dragged across the seabed during pull-in and must be accounted for in the Installation Analysis.
The J-tube bell mouth off-lead angles must be capable of accepting the anticipated horizontal
lead angle without jeopardizing the cable MBR.
10.11.4 Messenger wires are normally pre-installed into J-tubes /I-tubes before foundations go offshore and a
system that allows rapid messenger replacement offshore should be considered. Messenger wires
and fittings will normally be a marine grade stainless steel.
10.11.5 Messenger wires occasionally fail due to corrosion and/or chafing over edges. The messenger wire
design should take account of these failure modes and ensure the risk of messenger wire failure is
minimised.
10.11.6 It is advisable that J-tubes /I-tubes are marked top and bottom to ensure the right messenger wire is
connected to the pull-in winch wire.
the capacity to overcome the plough resistance and the tension required to overcome the limiting
environmental conditions.
10.13.2 Pull-ahead winch, rope and anchor must have valid certification. Winches must be well maintained
with especial attention paid to the condition of the fairlead, winch wire and its end connections and
fittings.
10.13.3 The pull-ahead winch wire must be of adequate length and strength for the planned anchor
placements. There must always be sufficient turns of mooring wire on the winch barrel when the pull-
ahead anchor is run out to its maximum planned extent.
10.16.3 The installation contractor shall provide a Catenary Management Plan for acceptance. The Catenary
Management Plan must be supported by an Installation Analysis. The Catenary Management Plan
must include the lay back distances and top tensions required to maintain a safe seabed tension at all
water depths when laying cable in straight lines and in curves.
10.16.4 When laying cables from a DP vessel care should be given to catenary management in conditions
where the DP reference system becomes unreliable and/or a DP dropout might occur. A momentary
drop out of the DP reference signal can result in the CLV dropping astern enough for a loop to form in
the cable.
10.17.2 The cable MBR must be protected at all times during all cable handling operations. Protection of the
MBR must be provided by the design of the cable storage areas, cable coiling arms, cable highways,
cable handling quadrants, J-tube curves, cable tensioners, over boarding chutes/sheaves, Catenary
Management Procedures, cable trenching and cable burial tools and WTG and offshore substation
cable pathways.
10.17.3 If cable passes over rollers whilst under tension then the distance between the rollers must be
approved by the cable manufacture to ensure that micro bending will not occur over rollers that are too
far apart.
c. Back tension
d. Grounding lay barges
e. Floating installation
f. Positioning
g. Tides
h. Surveys of grounded areas.
10.22.5 Selecting landfall sites. Good landfall sites are rare. They allow the CLV / CLB to approach to within
a few hundred metres of land and float the cable ashore or, in some locations, pull the cable ashore
without floats into an open cut trench or through a short HDD duct.
10.22.6 Wind farm export cables are more often installed at sites requiring challenging and complex civil
engineering solutions than would be required at ideal landfall sites.
10.22.7 Sea defences and environmentally sensitive foreshore areas must often be crossed using HDD ducts.
The physical nature of some landfall sites requires HDD lengths at the extreme end of what is currently
possible.
crossed submarine plant will require that plough operations cease 500m before and restart 500m after
the crossing point location. Jetting is normally allowed within the agreed no-plough zone.
10.23.3 Crossings are often constructed using concrete mattresses and/or rock dumping to provide separation
between the submarine plant and to provide stability and protection to the crossing export cable(s).
The export cable can also be encased in a cable protection product although this is a decision for the
cable owner. Construction methods, crossing angles and operational zone dimensions will need to be
agreed between the respective submarine plant owners and recorded in a formal Crossing Agreement.
10.23.4 When export cables are to be installed close to other submarine plant then due consideration should
be given to maintenance requirements of each of the respective items of submarine plant. For
submarine cables it is typical to allow at least three times the water depth clearance to ensure that a
repair operation can be done. Clearance from pipelines will need to be agreed with the pipeline owner.
10.24.10 If cable tension prevents the cable from being lifted to the surface the cable will need to be cut on the
seabed. If the cable is not a water-blocked design then there is a risk of flooding the cable.
Submarine power cables are either wet, dry or semi-dry designs and each has different levels of
tolerance to water ingress. The cable manufacturer should be consulted if the repair strategy involves
cutting the cable on the seabed.
10.24.11 The cable end should be secured to the seabed to prevent movement due to ocean currents. Typically
this is achieved by attaching chain, steel reinforced ground rope and a clump weight to the cable end.
If a buoy is used to aid location and recovery of the ground tackle the buoy should have sufficient
buoyancy to remain at the surface in all anticipated current conditions. The rope, wire or chain
attaching buoys to the clump weight should have sufficient strength to ensure it does not fail.
10.24.12 The cable end(s) will need to be stoppered to secure points on the repair vessel. The stopper type
must be approved by the cable supplier. The stopper deck attachment point must be in line with the
cable line to prevent the stopper from exerting non-conforming forces on the cable.
10.24.13 The first joint will be deployed over the lay chute or sheave in line with the spare cable to be laid out to
the Final Splice location. The repair joint load mechanical properties should be confirmed as adequate
for the repair chute/sheave diameter and cable tension during deployment. Extreme tensions can be
generated in the cable where it enters the joint housing as the joint tips over the repair chute / sheave.
Consideration should be given to using a spreader beam and crane to deploy the joint over the repair
chute / sheave.
10.24.14 An Installation Analysis is required for the time the repair joint is in the water column until the joint is on
the seabed. If there is insufficient cable tension as the joint approaches the seabed the cable MBR will
be jeopardised.
10.24.15 At the Final Splice location the end of the good cable must be recovered to the repair vessel until there
is sufficient overlap with the spare cable laid from the first repair joint location for the cable ends to be
taken into the jointing facility and the joint to be made.
10.24.16 The cable catenaries formed during the Final Splice jointing operation must have sufficient tension to
ensure the cable MBR is not jeopardise at the seabed TD point but not so much tension that the repair
vessel imparts load in the cables.
10.24.17 Final Splice operations insert an additional cable length of approximately 3 times the water depth into a
cable system.
10.24.18 Final Splice deployment is a cable- hazardous operation during which a combination of cable slack and
residual torsion in the cable can cause loops, catpaws and standing sections of cable.
10.24.19 During Final Splice deployment the joint and cable must be supported using a spreader beam. The
repair vessel must be manoeuvred away from the cable line as the Final Splice is lowered to the
seabed. The joint lowering speed and the repair vessel speed must be co-ordinated to ensure the
Final Splice is laid down on the seabed without jeopardizing the cable MBR, without throwing loops or
leaving sections of the cable standing proud of the seabed.
10.24.20 Deployment rigging must be removed from the cable to ensure the rigging does not become entangled
with cable jetting equipment.
10.24.21 The repair vessel must have sufficient manoeuvring and position keeping capability to undertake the
manoeuvres required to support the operations described herein.
10.24.22 The whole of the repair section should be trench into the seabed. The Final Splice layout should be
surveyed using an inspection ROV and any loops, standing loops and/or cats-paws should be
recorded and if necessary an alternative protection to jetting should be developed.
10.24.23 The repaired cable should be tested and the cable repair vessel should remain on site until the tests
are complete and the cable repair is shown to be acceptable.
10.24.24 The damaged and/or faulty cable should be kept and taken ashore for investigation into the cause of
the failure. If the cause is an inherent defect then the costs to repair might be recoverable as a
warranty claim against the cable manufacturer.
REFERENCES
A.11 INSTALLATION
A.11.1 Information to cover the topics in Section 9.